RNA Methylation m6A: A New Code and Drug Target?

The m⁶A‐RNA modification is a dynamic and reversible process, which has emerged as a new RNA code for the regulation of gene expression. The functional network of methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and binding proteins (readers) modulate the level of m⁶A modification. Dysfunction of RNA methylation has been associated with various fundamental biological processes and human diseases. Herein, we briefly introduce an understanding‐enabled manipulation on m⁶A‐RNA modification with an emphasis on the use of small‐molecule intervention.      

Diffraction techniques for nonlamellar phases of phospholipids

A neutron diffraction method applicable to nonlamellar phases of substrate-supported lipid membranes is described and validated. When prepared on a flat substrate, the resulting nonlamellar phases have layered symmetry which provides some advantages over powder diffraction for detailed structure determination. This approach recently led to the detection of a rhombohedral phase and a distorted hexagonal phase of lipids. Here the determination of intensity and phase information for such phases is demonstrated by application to the hexagonal phase of diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC). The hexagonal symmetry is used to verify the data reduction procedure for the intensities of the diffraction peaks. Diffraction intensities measured while varying the D2O/H2O ratio in the relative humidity was used to solve the phase problem. The neutron scattering length density distribution of the hexagonal phase was constructed and analyzed to elucidate the packing of the lipid molecules. The structure of DPhPC in the hexagonal phase is of interest in connection with its stalk structure in the rhombohedral phase. We also found that the incorporation of tetradecane into the DPhPC hexagonal phase is limited, similar to the case for dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine.     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. VII. Synthesis and properties of photocrosslinkable poly(ether-ester) containing cinnamic group

A series of semi-aromatic poly(ether-ester)s containing cinnamic group was prepared from 4,4′-diacrylic acid-α,ω-phenoxyalkanes with diols in the presence of diphenylchlorophosphate (DPCP) and pyridine as a catalyst and solvent. The phase behavior of these polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD). All of the poly(ether-ester)s, except P3 , show nematic or smectic thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour under optical polarizing microscopic observation. These polymers can undergo photocrosslinking reaction upon heating, as examined by IR, solubility, and DSC analysis. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A computer program for searching the best model for describing different experimental systems

An algorithm for searching the best polynomial analytical function for describing different experimental systems is presented. It is based

1. (1)on the generation of all possible analytical functions of a given order, with a given number of terms and with a given number of independent variables, and

2. (2)on the calculation of the parameters of all selected functions using the linear regression method.

To show the ability of the program two different examples are given:

1. (1) searching the best univariate polynomial model, and

2. (2) modelling of the stability of a two-component mixture as a function of three factors.

Effect of the polarity of additional solvent on membrane formation in polysulfone/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/water ternary system

Asymmetric polysulfone membranes were prepared by wet phase inversion method with different demixing rate of casting solutions. The influent factor of demixing rate was focused on the polarity of additive in the polysulfone/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/water ternary system. With increasing the polarity of alcohols in the casting solution, the decrease in skin layer thickness was observed and then a poor separation performance of membranes can be obtained. It was found that the polar additive caused the rapidly demixing of casting solution in coagulation bath and formed porous asymmetric membranes with defective skin layer. In the other case, chloroform was used as the non-polar additive in casting solution. With increasing the mount of chloroform in the casting solution, the increase in skin layer thickness was observed and then lead to a good separation performance of these membranes. It was found that of the non-polar additive delays the demixing rate of casting solution in this ternary system. The separation performance of these asymmetric membranes were characterized by the measurement of dehydration of ethanol/water mixture by pervaporation and observed the morphology by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the separation performance of asymmetric polysulfone membrane strongly depends on the polarity of adding solvent in polysulfone/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/water ternary system.     

Polarographic Behaviour and Determination of Stability Constants of Uranyl-Ascorbate Complex

The complex species of UO₂(HA)(H₂A)⁺ and UO₂(HA)₂ were identified in the ascorbic acid solution of uranyl ion at pH<2.1 and pH>2.1, respectively. Polarographic wave was proved to be the simultaneous reduction of UO₂⁺² and UO₂(HA)(H₂A)⁺ at pH <2.1. However, at pH>2.1, the wave is due to the reduction of U0₂(HA)₂ The stability constants of the two complex species were found to be 5.1×10⁺ and 1.0×10⁵, respectively. The hydrolysis constant of uranyl ion in the solution of ascorbic acid was determined.     

The Constituents of Cynanchum Taiwanianum

The isolation and identification of eleven crystalline components from the aerial part of Cynanchum taiwanianum Yamazaki (Asclepiadaceae) are described. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral evidence and chemical transformation. Besides caffeic acid, β-amyrin, and methyl phaeophorbide a, the isolated flavonoid components are classified into two groups, i.e. kaempferol derivatives (kaempferol, astragalin, afzelin, trifolin) and quercetin derivatives (quercetin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, hyperin).     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the copolymerization of bis-4-substituted-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones with styrenes

Highly reactive 4-substituted-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones (TDs) have been studied extensively as dienophiles, but little work has been done on their role as enophiles and particularly on their use as propagating species in polymerization studies. The copolymerization between bis-4-substituted-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones (bis-TDs) and styrene has been reported. The purpose of the present work was to synthesize new copolymers derived from a variety of substituted styrenes and bis-TDs and to study the mechanism and kinetics of this novel polymerization. Three bis-TDs were prepared: 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-bis[3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl] biphenyl (8), t-1,4-bis[3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl] methyl cyclohexane (9), and 4,4′-bis[3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl] phenyl ether (10). Their structures were fully established by spectroscopic studies, elemental analyses, and indirectly, their quantitative ene reactions with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene. Copolymerization between bis-TDs and substituted styrenes was carried out in dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dichloroethane (DCE). Polymers formed were characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and viscometry. Molecular weights of polymers range from 5000 to 16,000 in most cases. They were stable up to 250°C and higher. Polymers derived from bis-TDs and p-t-butylstyrene, α-methylstyrene, p-nitrostyrene, and p-acetoxystyrene contained only Diels-Alder-ene (DAe) repeating units, whereas those derived from styrene, p-chlorostyrene, p-bromostyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, and 4-vinylbiphenyl contained both DAe and double Diels-Alder (dDA) repeating units. A kinetic study of the copolymerization of 4,4′-bis-(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazoline-4-yl) phenyl ether with α-methylstyrene, p-t-butylstyrene, styrene, p-chlorostyrene, and p-nitrostyrene in DCE was carried out; the copolymerization rate constants were 60.9, 49.8, 8.4, 5.5, and 0.8 (1 mol^?1s), respectively.     

Determination of metal concentration in fat supplements for swine nutrition by atomic absorption spectroscopy

The presence of some essential and toxic metals in fat supplements for swine diet was investigated. Collected samples represented a relevant production of the Italian industry. In particular, some samples were enriched with antioxidants or waste cooking oils. The method for the determination of Ca, Cu, Cd, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fat samples was developed by means of a certified reference material (CRM 186) and a representative fatty sample (RFS). All samples were digested in closed vessels in a microwave oven and then analyzed by flame atomic absorption or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The entire analytical method provided a satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility confirmed by agreement between the experimental recovery data obtained for the CRM 186 sample and, with the method of standard additions, for the RFS material. The samples generally showed a small amount of metals compared with the recommended daily intake for the essential elements. On the other hand, some samples contained a significant concentration, from an analytical point of view, of Cd, Ni, and Pb. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to inspect the experimental data obtained from samples analysis. Basically no differences were detected in terms of metal concentration among the fat supplements analyzed.     

Nucleic acid analysis using an expanded genetic alphabet to quench fluorescence

Organic chemistry has made possible the synthesis of molecules that expand on Nature's genetic alphabet. Using the previously described nonstandard DNA base pair constructed from isoguanine and 5-methylisocytosine, we report a highly specific and sensitive method that allows for the fast and specific quantitation of genetic sequences in a closed tube format. During PCR amplification, enzymatic site-specific incorporation of a quencher covalently linked to isoguanine allows for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple targets. The specificity of method is then established by analysis of thermal denaturation or melting of the amplicons. The appropriate functions of all reactions are further verified by incorporation of an independent target into the reaction mixture. We report that the method is sensitive down to the single copy level, and specificity is demonstrated by multiplexed end-point genotypic analysis of four targets simultaneously using four separate fluorescent reporters. The method is general enough for quantitative and qualitative analysis of both RNA and DNA using previously developed primer sets. Though the method described employs the commonly used PCR, the enzymatic incorporation of reporter groups into DNA site-specifically should find broad utility throughout molecular biology.